Peterbilt 379 Lowboy project

[Truck 505]

Old company that I worked for had two Blackhawk trailers . I can promise you this without any reservations . If you upgrade to a self supporting detach you will never go back to a ground bearing .

Tiny, you are so right in saying that. I dread the thought of having to deal with a ground bearing trailer ever again. The thought of having to fill the hole up with rocks after you push the foot through the dirt or blacktop which I have done trying to lift a heavy load just brings back a lot of nightmares. The thing is though, a really good drag is very expensive and if it's not getting used everyday I can understand why it would be hard to sink so much money into one. The base price for an Etnyre Blackhawk like the one I pull is probably around $70,000. I know what mine cost and I can tell You it was considerably more than that but it was also less than a Talbert (which I don't like) anyway. I don't like the way the height adjustment works on a Talbert.

There is a reason why in the pic where I have the trailer raised up so high. It had just got done raining and I was trying to move blacktop rollers. In order to move two rollers one has to go up on the back of the trailer. Well as we all know, smooth wet steel on smooth wet steel doesn't lead to much traction. I raised it up that high after I finally got the roller up on the deck to lower the angle of the ramps going up on the back of the trailer. It finally went up the after a couple more attempts. If I would have had the trailer I have now, I would have never had to go through all this trouble. I have loaded rollers on my trailer in the rain many times and they just walk right up there.

 

[Oxbow]

I bought a 96 Aspen 50 ton NGB in 2009 and paid $35000 for it. I believe that it is still worth that amount, and has been a great trailer. A bit heavy though, my light weight with an 89 Pete 378, 425 Cat with retarder, 2spd rears is around 40,000 lbs.

The Cozads are real popular in California, but being mechanical disconnect I have seen fellows fight hooking them up when conditions are not flat and dry. Trying to roll a load up onto the 5th wheel when it is icy can be a trick.

 

[Truck 505]

Oxbow, You are probably correct in believing your trailer is still worth that amount. Drags hold their value well. I have seen brand new drags in auctions sell for more than the dealer is asking for them and also seen drags that are beat to death bring a premium price.

I really don't get the theory behind the mechanical neck. As You said it looks like everything has to be just about perfect for them to work properly. I have read where people say they unhook and hook up quicker than a hydraulic neck. I can't see how. I can guarantee that I can drop and hook up quicker with a hydraulic neck than a with a mechanical neck plus with a hydraulic neck, it can be used to raise the trailer up over obstacles where with a mechanical neck you are pretty much stuck with that one height.

Btw, with My 2007 W9 with a ISX and 18 spd and my 2012 Etnyre I am at about 45,000 pounds empty.

 

[Oxbow]

Truck 505, maybe I shouldn't complain then, but I think your trailer is longer than mine @ 48', and I don't have a sleeper.

As you say, it is sure nice to have the option to raise the deck for high railroad crossings, etc.. I hadn't thought of using it to reduce the load angle like you did with the paving roller, I'll have to keep that in mind!

 

[Truck 505]

Truck 505, maybe I shouldn't complain then, but I think your trailer is longer than mine @ 48', and I don't have a sleeper.

My trailer is 53' with a 24' well. Total length is 74'10''.

 

[Fastdirt]

Truck 505, I just saw your trailer for one big one and I mean $100,000. It's hard to believe the money these trailers sell for. Used pricing on lowboys is way up there too. Mileage doesn't affect resale like it does on the tractors. For instance I looked all summer for a 35 ton detach, the cheapest was around 40k out the door. Of course F.E.T. on top of sales tax makes for near 20% but still mighty pricey. I'd love to have a NGB, but hopefully I want be disconnecting much. The GB hasn't been bad at all and I don't have NGB experience to compare it to, so I'm not as bothered....Yet.

I like how you raised the height up to reduce the angle getting the roller up there. There is always a way to get it done, nice.

Today we got rained out and I got this 4 axel Peterbilt 379 with a C-16 and a 4 axel rail loading up a 100,000 Exxodus in the rain. This company is the top heavy transport company in Georgia and I see them often when going to the Cat dealer. They moved a 345 and a 365 using a rail trailer back when I was on a grade crew. Could be the same rig and I remember they were very professional.

 

[Fastdirt]

I recently weighed this setup and it's almost the same axel weights as before even though the machines are swapped. This was before filling up with diesel, dumb move but I didn't want to reverse out of pumps after filling up. The truck with 260 gallons X's 6 lbs. can have 1560 lbs of diesel. Also the trailer floor was just scabbed in to hold the machines. Less than half the wood that will be on there, which will add weight.

The past setup.


The current set up.


Here's footage of how I'm doing it now. I have been able to side the load the Takeuchi since with the excavator on the trailer never having to disconnect the neck. They make some serious alum. ramps for Bobcats that might work for me but I'll use oak blocks till then.

 

[Oxbow]

Thanks for sharing Fastdirt, I had never heard of or seen and Exodus before.

Does Georgia allow 37,300 on a tandem?

 

[Fastdirt]

I still haven't got the info on the law. I have been so busy I can barely keep up with everything right now, and luckily I don't pull the Takeuchi along unless needed. I mean can the weigh stations not detect that my tandems are 37k lbs. I've made it through 3 or 4 times without being red lighted. Two DOT officers were standing at the scale when I passed through and they were sure looking at everything but I kept on going. Are they up there playing play station LOL and too lazy to red light me. I wish we had a DOT officer as friend. That would be priceless.

 

[Oxbow]

I believe that on any interstate you are only allowed 34,000 per tandem, but some states may vary. Many states allow more on a tandem than 34000 on state and U.S. highways, as long as you are not over gross.

 

[Fastdirt]

You're right Oxbow. I just checked and it is 34,000 for a tandem axle. 40,000 for a single axle. I guess I'll have to take the bucket off and turn the 150 around and scoot the 312 forward. That should get it. Wonder why I clear through the weigh stations.

 

[Fastdirt]

I dropped the lowboy off two weeks ago to get blasted and painted. I told the guy I only have time on weekends to pick it up. He's been texting since Monday that it's done. He only sent me those pics I posted above. He wanted me to wire him money, claiming he was in a bind because I can't get there till Saturday. So after numerous texts I went up there last night after getting home from a 14 hour day. I wanted to see it in the light. I was very weary and hesitant after not receiving close up pics. Well, I saw it in the dark last night. Gave him a check and left after seeing this. He over sprayed all four of my brand new aluminum wheels. He painted the brand new looking hyd. pump, the green loom covering the light wires, the I.D. tag, etc. Not a lick of paint was laid down smooth. I told him to use gloss back and his work resembles rhino liner more than paint. AHHHHGGGGGG! Not again!!! I didn't even share with yall my experience with the "aluminum polish guy" that I dropped my truck off with right after it was painted, but this is a similar nightmare. I spent $5k with the welder to get this trailer in great shape for function and paint. Not to mention the wheels and the new decal kit I have along with LED's

I stopped payment on the check and he won't even answer his phone or respond. After the polish guy and now this. The welder guy was referred to me by a guy who deals in heavy equipment and talked highly of his work, and his work was really good. Bottom line is, I will never trust anybody again without references. Just because you personally take pride in your work, dang sure doesn't mean others do.

 

[Fastdirt]

Ok ok, I've managed to put this all in perspective. The trailer was sandblasted well and primed with black primer before being painted so that's most important. I just wish I had supplied the gloss paint and etch primer instead of what he used. I released the hold on the check and told the young man how I really felt about the overspray and the finish. He wouldn't even answer the phone. Only a text denying fault. Him being hard up for money and painting in between rains or maybe while raining. Who knows. So moving on with a positive outlook. Maybe I can just scratch the ever living crap out of it the first use to ease some blame. LOL. I do remember how quickly my shiny tag trailer got rubbed, scratched, etc. etc.

Not a bad before and after.

 

[Fastdirt]

I found a guy on Craigslist that does oak sawmilling and is milling some 2.5" thick white oak. I was almost going to go with 3" thick to protect the side C channel beams from side loading but they would stick up 1.5"' and that could look a bit odd since the bed of beams are only recessed 1.5". I think sticking up a full inch will suffice though....but I'm thinking I might should go with a full 3" to avoid beam damage. He said his logs are two/three years old so they shouldn't shrink much if any. I have about 15 historic oaks to clear next week and we worked a trade for two dump truck loads of logs. I know it's craigslist but hey can you really mess that up. Rare to find saw milling guys.
Got all the LED's from the chrome shop today and I mean a lot. Can't have too many. Also picked up some train horns, more dash chrome to complete the dash, and some LED's to put down low on the front bumper for the Peterbilt. I plan on removing the roof horns to make the flat top look complete. I plan ordering the fiberglass flat top Monday and I'm going to do it myself unless the guy who painted the truck calls back with a decent price. I asked him to price converting the hi rise and shortening the frame. Vander Haggs has a rear window and a passenger window that I plan on installing also. The cab extenders are as good as gone too. I sure hope my guy comes back with a good price for doing this work because I do not want to do that work, but we'll see. Not sure I will shorten the truck unless his price is good. He's done several and has the big Peterbilt huck bolts to re mount the suspension. Also will have to go with 70 gallon tanks. A flat top, black tanks, and visor would look mean. Flat tops have great re sale also, so will see.

A few more trailer pics. Sure smells like fresh paint when I walk outside. A few of the pics have dust/dirt on the finish that should wipe off. I didn't want to dry wip while the paint has completely cured.

 

[Steve Frazier]

After a few weeks of service it really wouldn't matter what paint you used. I did a small equipment trailer with black Rustoleum and a roller, looked good from 10 feet or more. Going down the road it will look fine.

 

[Oxbow]

Fastdirt, regarding the height of your decking I think that most new trailers come with wood that is about a 1/2" or less higher than the steel frame. Perhaps this is to limit the amount of deflection in the decking before the load is supported by the frame work, reducing the frequency of breaking deck boards - I'm not sure, but thought it might be something to think about.

Good luck with your project!

 

[Fastdirt]

After a few weeks of service it really wouldn't matter what paint you used. I did a small equipment trailer with black Rustoleum and a roller, looked good from 10 feet or more. Going down the road it will look fine.

Steve, I really appreciate the encouraging words. There is just no way I can live with this after pouring my heart into this project since early this year. I have used your technique to describe his work though.

Fastdirt, regarding the height of your decking I think that most new trailers come with wood that is about a 1/2" or less higher than the steel frame. Perhaps this is to limit the amount of deflection in the decking before the load is supported by the frame work, reducing the frequency of breaking deck boards - I'm not sure, but thought it might be something to think about.

Good luck with your project!

Oxbow,That all went over my head. Wait I just realized what you are saying. The thick boards would stiffin the trailer. Ok, I think I'll be ok with it. After my recent screwings from the polisher and the sandblaster, I decided to call the sawmill guy to verify all boards are matched. He said he was cutting them from red oak. I told to hold off. I want white oak. I'm not sure if these trees I'm about to clear are white or red, but they won't be dried anyway. That's another story.

 

[Fastdirt]

Alright here is the status and update. I finally saw my trailer in the sunlight and noticed the guy had hit my new wheels with the sandblaster. That's when I went inside to stop payment on the check. This could get ugly. I am so tired of this. I just wanted it done right. When I picked up my trailer, I had to meet this guy on his property along a dark dirt road to pick up my trailer. Two pick up trucks pulled up with lights in my eyes. No telling how many were in there. I was way uncomfortable and wanted to get out of the situation. That's why he wanted me to wire him money Western Union without seeing it first. So, I tried to leave but he asked for the check and I wasn't about to escalate this on his turf. I might have screwed up by receiving the service and then handing over a check. He is going to file charges today he claims. He will not accept any responsibility. Worst case scenario I release the $1800.

One time an old man on an old dozer told me trust everyone once. Bad advise. Never again. Never! Hard lesson for me here.

Ok, the great news. The professional who painted the Peterbilt called yesterday with a price for the Peterbilt work. I told him my story about the sanblaster jacking up my trailer and he said "we do sandblasting". He just broke my heart. I know his work and was originally referred to him by a lowboy driver I used to use. They made his W900 look gangster, and I mean it was awesome.

I took the whole rig to him and dropped it off. Trailer and Peterbilt. He has joined forces with his brothers shop across the street. They have 30 employees between them. They repair UPS trucks, Fed EX trucks, Buses, and all the big rigs and semi trailers, lowboys, etc. along with custom work. So they are re sand blasting the trailer. They said it wasn't even primed. They will even smooth bond areas if applicable and then coat it with black gloss. They will have their polish guy try to recover the brand new wheels also.

The 379 is going to have the axels/suspension moved up 24"s. The 63" sleeper is coming off and the 130 gallon tanks are coming off. They are going to put on a 48" flat top and install a rear window along with a passenger window. They actually have a few Peterbilts in the yard with Cat motors that are too expensive to rebuild. One has a 48" flat top and the other has the rear window. Either way there is a few 48" unibilt flat tops available on Heavy truck parts, Truck Paper, Vander Haags, etc. along with windows.

Glad it's out of my sight. I will get down there and take pics as it gets cut up. Now it's time to focus back on my job and work for awhile.

 

[redneckchevy9]

Fastdirt - that 379 is good lookin'. I can appreciate all that hard work that went into transforming that truck-I bet its a real eye catcher when you pull up to jobsites. It's been very interesting ready all the progress and looking at all of the pictures through the process.

It was the first post I read since deciding to join here as well as HEF & if this type of stuff is on here, looks like I made a good decision.

 

[redneckchevy9]

Alright here is the status and update. I finally saw my trailer in the sunlight and noticed the guy had hit my new wheels with the sandblaster.

That's ground for execution on the spot!